As the sun began to set, Joey and Eitou made their way home from school. Joey suggested taking a different road to avoid "those people," to which Eitou agreed.
"Yeah, I really don't have time for their problems," Joey said, hurrying along the path. The two of them walked quickly until they reached a crossroad.
"Man, that was close," Joey said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Alright Eitou, see you later, man."
Joey's house was just a stone's throw away, located only two houses across the pathway. Eitou, on the other hand, still had a long way to go before he reached his own house.
"Alright, dumbass. Later," Eitou replied with a grin before continuing on his way. Joey then proceeded to his house.
Joey was running across the road, his eyes scanning the area around him. The warm summer evening breeze blew past him, rustling the leaves on the trees as he headed towards his house. He was lost in his thoughts, enjoying the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
"Man, it's pretty windy for a summer evening," he muttered to himself, feeling the gusts of wind picking up as he ran towards his front door. "I hope I don't get caught up in a storm."
As he approached the pathway that led to his house, he noticed the sound of footsteps behind him. At first, he had dismissed it as his imagination, but the sound grew more persistent, and he began to feel a sense of unease.
Joey stopped in his tracks, turning around to face the source of the noise. A group of eight people stood behind him, their faces twisted in anger and malice. His heart skipped a beat as one of them spoke, their words dripping with venom.
"Thought you could miss us, ehh?"
Joey's heart raced as he found himself surrounded by a group of menacing individuals. He tried to speak, but his voice came out as a stammer. "Uhhh, uhmm? I was going to see you guys tomorrow."
"Forget that, where's the hard drive?" one of the group asked, his tone harsh and unforgiving. "Looks like you really didn't get the message we sent you last time."
"I'm really sorry guys. I'll try and make it up to you guys tomor--" Joey started to say, but he was abruptly cut off by the same member who had spoken earlier.
"I don't want that crap," the man growled, taking a step closer to Joey. "You think we're idiots? You think we're just going to let you get away with it?"
Joey felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead as he realized that he was in real trouble. He knew that this group had been causing problems in the neighborhood, and he had been trying to avoid them. But now, they had him cornered.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He knew that he was going to have to think quickly if he wanted to get out of this alive. The wind picked up again, blowing his hair across his forehead and reminding him of the urgency of the situation.
He looked around, trying to find a way out of this. But there was no escape. The group had him surrounded, and he knew that he was at their mercy.
"Please," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't have it.
The group exchanged a glance, and Joey could see the anger in their eyes. He knew that he was running out of time.
Joey's heart was pounding in his chest as he tried to come up with a plan. His eyes darted around, searching for any means of escape. And then, he saw it. A small gap had opened up between two of the thugs, and Joey saw his chance.
Without hesitation, Joey slipped through the gap, and bolted towards the road. But just as he was about to make it to safety, a searing pain erupted in his back. He stumbled forward, gasping for breath, and fell to the ground.
He could hear the sound of the thugs' laughter ringing in his ears as he lay there, bleeding and helpless.
His eyes slowly closed, and he thought that it was all over. But then, he heard a voice in the darkness.
"Hah, man, you really are a dumbass," the voice said. Joey recognized the voice immediately. It was Eitou, his friend. "You're always having fun, man. Aren't you born lucky?"
Joey's eyes fluttered open, and he saw Eitou's nervous grin. He tried to speak, but his words came out as a weak whisper.
"Eitou...why?" he managed to ask.
"I had a feeling you might face some trouble,besides, you don't get to have all the fun, man. You dragged me into this, and I'm dragging you out." Eitou said.